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tourism

Major Newport mansions open for season; new tours, features debut

FIVE OF NEWPORT'S MANSIONS, including The Breakers, whose dining room is pictured here, have opened for the season. The iconic Vanderbilt summer 'cottage' includes a new Mandarin language audio tour translation, as does The Elms.

NEWPORT – Five of the Newport mansions and houses have opened for daily tours, with new offerings and special exhibits available for visitors.

The Preservation Society of Newport County houses now open for tours are The Breakers and The Elms, which feature new Mandarin language audio translations; Rosecliff, which will feature a special exhibit; Chateau-sur-Mer; and the Marble House, which now has an updated audio tour.

Kingscote and Green Animals Topiary Garden will open for the season on May 10, while Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Chepstow and The Breakers Stable and Carriage House will open on June 28.

Special exhibits also will be on display at the Hunter and Isaac Bell houses.

All of the houses will remain open through Columbus Day, Oct. 13, except The Breakers Stable, which will close on Sept. 1. From Oct. 14 through Nov. 21, The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff and Chateau-sur-Mer will remain open daily.

The Christmas holiday season at the Newport Mansions is scheduled to begin on Nov. 22 with The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House decorated and open daily for tours.

Among the new features is the revised audio tour at Marble House, which provides new insight into the “self-made myth” of Alva Vanderbilt and relates more personal stories about the Vanderbilt family.

The Mandarin translations of the audio tours at The Breakers and The Elms have been introduced because Chinese-speaking visitors are the fastest growing segment of foreign visitors to the Newport Mansions. Audio tours at The Breakers, The Elms, Rosecliff and Marble House are already offered in English, French, Spanish and German.

Special exhibits include the annual costume exhibition at Rosecliff, new presentations of collections at the Hunter House, and an exhibition at the Isaac Bell House, presented in partnership with the Newport Historical Society, that examines an early photographic portfolio commissioned by architect Charles Kim.

A variety of special events are scheduled as well throughout the season. Visit www.NewportMansions.org or call (401) 847-1000 for details about the operating schedule, event information, tour packages and ticket prices. Tickets can be purchased online, at all of the houses, and at the Newport Visitors Center. Schedules are subject to change.

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